Conveyer flight



11mm f 9 April H. HUDSON 2,278,853

CONVEYER FLIGHT Filed June 10, 1940 fvzveraior.

JZz'ZZ flzzalaora. m

Patented Apr. 7, 1942 V CONVEYER FLIGHT Hill Hudson, Tacoma, Wash., assignor of onehalf to Moline Malleable Iron Company, St.

Charles, 111.,

Elvira Hudson execu deceased a Corporation of Illinois; Nancy trix of said Hill Hudson,

Application June 10, 1940, Serial No. 339,599

15 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in conveyer flights and has for one purpose the provision of an improved type of conveyer flight adaptable for attachment, locking and the like, to chains.

Another purpose is the provision of a conveyer flight which shall support rather than be supported upon the chain.

Another purpose is the provision of a conveyer flight which shall be secured to chain links lying in a generally horizontal plane- Another purpose is the provision of improved means for securing conveyer flights to links or chains.

Another purpose is the provision of conveyer being bounded at front and rear by upstanding wall portions I2 somewhat lower than the top of the boss I0. The boss I itself is provided with front and rear upwardly extending walls l3, and is apertured as at I4 to receive a bolt l5, the head l6 of which may be received in a recess 11 in the bottom 3, which conforms generally in shape to the head. For example, the head may be made square, and the depression I1 may also'be square, so that the bolt l will not rotate in relationto the central portion 3 of the flight.

flights and means for attaching such flights to links or chains in which the attaching means shall lie in a generally vertical plane.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the carrier flight, with other parts removed, and parts broken out;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 1,

with parts separated;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the under side of the holding block;

Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the Fig. 9 is a modified link, Like parts are indicated throughout the specification and drawing.

Referring to the drawing, I generally indicates a conveyer chain having thereon a plurallink; and

ity of flights generaly indicated as 2. Each such flight includes a central body portion 3, having laterally extending bottom portions 4, the bottoms of which may lie in the same plane as the bottom of the member 3. The flight may include a front face generally indicated as 5, and top by like symbols link 18.

Fig. 8 illustrates a C-shaped link generally indicated as l8and having opposite bends l9 terininating in heads 20. .On the opposite end of the link from the heads20 is an enlargement 2|. It will be understood that when the link I8 is dropped into place in the flight, the lower portions of the members 20,: 2| drop into the apertures II and are held against endwise movement by'the wall-s l2. The link may beheld in position by anabutment or locking block, shown for example in Fig. 7, and generally indicated as 25. The locking block has a downwardly extending boss'26, apertured as at 21 so that it may fit over and receive the upper end of the bolt IS. The boss 26 is the same width as the member [0, and conforms thereto. It is held against endwise movement by the end walls I3. The member is recessed at each side, as at 28, to receive the upwardly extending portions 20 and 2| of the The outer faces of the ends of the locking block may be made somewhat concave,

, asv at 29, and a cavity 30 may be formed at the portions 6, which may be connected with the bottom portions 4 and the front portions 5 as by any suitable webs or reinforcing members 1.

The central portion of the. flight is provided A with a depression 8, bounded by side walls 9, which are shown as formed integrally with the top portions 6, the bottom portions 4. andthe central portion 3. Projecting upwardly in the depression 8 is a central boss l0, having depressicns H at each side thereof, said depression outer faces of each of the walls 13 to provide additional clearance for the ends of any suitable links3l, which may pass between the heads 2!) of the link IS. The member 25 is also provided with a recess 32 in its upp'erportion, which surrounds and protects the upper end of the bolt I5, and the nut 33, which may be threaded on the upper end of the .bolt and which may be employed to secure the above described assembly in position, as shown for example in Figs. 2 and 3.

Whereas I find it convenient toemploy a single G-shaped link, as shown in Fig. 8, it will be understood that I may employ a plurality of U- shaped linkslB', as shown inFig. 9, in which the member 2| is disposed of, and in which the end of each U is provided with one of the members 20. The use and operation of my invention are as follows: v

I illustrate a conveyer flight. which may for example be employed with chain conveyers now used in saw mill operation. However, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to that the flat bottom, in riding upon a supporting surface, serves as a support for the chain. In order to supply the flat chain links, all that is necessary is to drop the C-shaped links 3 or the pair of U-shaped links I8 into the central aperture 8 of the flight, with the bottoms of the members 20, 2| penetrating the pocket H; the locking block 25 is then dropped into position and threaded on the bolt 15, which extends vertically upwardly through the boss It. The nut 33 is applied and tightened, and it and the top of the bolt are protected by being positioned in the depression 32.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawing to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

I claim:

1. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity, said cavity having at each side thereof, adjacent said upstanding portions, bottom depressions, a link extending through said cavity, said link having downwardly enlarged portions penetrating said bottom depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, with said link lying in a generally horizontal plane.

2. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity, said cavity having at each side thereof, adjacent said upstanding portions, bottom depressions, a link extending through said cavity, said link having downwardly enlarged means for holding said link in'position between portions penetrating said bottom depressions, and

means for holding said link in position between said upstanding-portions, with said link lying in a generally horizontal plane, including a vertically removable locking block located in said cavity, and means for securing it in to said flight.

3. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity, said cavity having at each side thereof, adjacent said upstanding portions, bottom depressions, a link extending through said cavity, said link having enlarged portions penetrating said bottom depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, With said link lying in a generally horizontal plane, including a locking block located in said cavity, and means for securing it in position in relation to said flight, including a vertical connecting member passing through the flight and the block. 1

4. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity, said cavity having at each side thereof, adjacent said upstanding portions, bottom depressions, a link extending through said cavity, said link having downwardly enlarged portions penetrating said bottom depressions, and

position in relation said upstanding portions, with said link lying in a generally horizontal plane, including a locking block located in said cavity, and means for securing it in position in relation to said flight, said locking block having therein cavities adapted to receive said enlarged portions of said link.

5. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity, said cavity having at each side thereof, adjacent said upstanding portions, bottom depressions, a link extending through said cavity, said link having enlarged portions penetrating said bottom depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, with said link lying in a generally horizontal plane, including a locking block located in said cavity, and means for securing it in position in relation to said flight, including a vertical connecting bolt passing through the flight and the block. 1

6. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity, said cavity having at each side thereof, adjacent said upstanding portions, bottom depressions, a link extending through said cavity, said link having enlarged portions penetrating said bottom depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, with said link lying in a generally horizontal plane, including a vertically removable locking block located in said cavity, and means for securing it in position in relation to said flight, including a vertical connecting bolt passing through the flight and the .block, said bolt having a head socketed in the bottom of the flight, and a securing nut received in a depression in the top of said locking block.

7. In combination, in a conveyer chain, including interpenetrating links, the planes of adjacent links being at right angles to each other, a conveyer' flight extending transversely across the length of the chain and having a generally plane bottom portion adapted to ride on a support and including a central body portion of substantially longitudinal extension, and flight elements extending transversely from opposite sides thereof, said body portion having an aperture in the upper surface adapted to receivea chain link lying in a horizontal plane and to hold said horizontal link spaced upwardly from the bottom of the flight and the support upon which the flight rests, said horizontal link having enlargements interfltting with said aperture, the opposed faces of said enlargements and aperture being adapted to prevent longitudinal relative movement of link and flight.

8. In combination, in a conveyer chain, including interpenetrating links, theplanes of adjacent links being at right angles to each other, a conveyer flight extending transversely across the length of the chain and having a generally plane bottom portion adapted to ride on a support and including a central body portion of substantially longitudinal extension, and flight elements extending transversely from opposite sides thereof, said body portion having an aperture in the upper surface adapted to receive a chain link lying in a horizontal plane and to hold said horizontal link spaced upwardly from the bottom ortheflight and the support upon which the flight rests, said horizontal link having enlargementsinterfitting with said aperture, the opposed faces of said enlargements and aperture being adapted to prevent longitudinal relative movement of link and flight, and a locking block mounted on said body portion for ready vertical removal therefrom, said locking block having portions interlocking with the enlargements of said link.

9. In combination, in a conveyer chain, including interpenetrating links, the planes of adjacent links being at right angles to each other, a conveyer flight extending transversely across the length of the chain and having a generally plane bottom portion adapted to ride on a support and including a central body portion of substantially longitudinal extension, and flight elements extending transversely from opposite sides thereof, said body portion having an aperture in the upper surface adapted to receive a chain link lying in a horizontal plane and to hold said horizontal link spaced upwardly from the bottom of the flight and the support upon which the flight rests, said horizontal link having enlargements interfltting with said aperture,

7 the opposed faces of said enlargements and aperture being adapted to prevent longitudinal relative movement of link and flight, and a locking block mounted on said body portion for ready vertical removal therefrom, said locking block having portions interlocking with the enlargements of said link, said body portion and locking block having opposed projections adapted to penetrate the aperture of the link.

10. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity extending from front to rear of the flight, said cavity having depressions in the bottom thereof, a link extending through said cavity and extending at each end outwardly beyond the front and rear of said flight, respectively, said link having downwardly offset portions adapted to penetrate said depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, with said downwardly offset portions penetrating said depressions in a locking relationship.

11. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated bya cavity extending from front to rear of the flight, said cavity having depressions in the bottom thereof, a link extending through said cavity and extending at each end outwardly beyond the front and rear of said flight, respectively, said link having downwardly offset portions adapted to penetrate said depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, with said downwardly offset portions penetrating said depressions in a locking relationship, said link being open at one side. I

12. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity extending from front to rear of the flight, said cavity having depressions in the bottom thereof, a link extending through said cavity and extending at each end outwardly beyond the front and rear of said flight, respectively, said link having downwardly offset portions adapted to penetrate said depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, with said downwardly offset portions penetrating said depressions in a locking relationship, said link being open at one side, such downwardly offset portions being located at each side of the opening in said link.

13. For use with a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity extending from front to rear of the flight, said cavity having depressions in the bottom thereof, a link extending through said cavity and extending at each end outwardly beyond the front and rear of said flight, respectively, said link having downwardly offset portions adapted to penetrate said depressions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions, with said downwardly offset portions penetrating said depressions in a locking relationship, said link fitting snugly between said upstanding portions. v

14. For use in a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity which extends from front to rear of the flight and which is open to the top of the flight and extends downwardly from the top of the flight to a level which is nearer the bottom than the top of the flight, a link extending through said cavity extending at each end outwardly beyond the front and rear faces of the flight, respectively, said link and the walls of said cavity having opposed, ofiset,'interpenetrating locking portions, and means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions of the flight with its offset portions in locking relationship with the flight, said link lying substantially midway between top and bottom of the flight.

15. For use in a conveyer chain, a flight having laterally extending upstanding portions separated by a cavity which extends from front to rear of the flight and which is open to the top of the flight and extends downwardly from the top of the flight to a level which is nearer the bottom than the top of the flight, a link extending through said cavity extending at each end outwardly beyond the front and rear faces of the flight, respectively, said link and the walls of said cavity having opposed, offset, interpenetrating locking portions, means for holding said link in position between said upstanding portions of the flight with its offset portions in looking relationship with the flight, said link lying substantially midway between top and bottom of the flight, the means for holding the link in position including a block positioned -in said cavity and upwardly removable therefrom, said block having portions interpenetrating with both said flight and said link, and means for locking said block against upward movement out of said cavity.

HILL HUDSON. 

